Miller's First Birthday Party

Miller's first birthday party was a great success!  We decided to keep it to immediate family this year, and I'm so glad we did.  We still had eleven people {in addition to the guest of honor} and about 1, 345 gifts so I think many more guests might have been a bit overwhelming for Miller.  It was a such a fun day and I was so pleased that Miller handled everything so well.  I let the pictures do all most of the talking.

 Ohhhh, the anticipation!!!!

I went to sleep in a normal house and I woke up to a houseful of people and a party!!!

The hat didn't last long.  I forgot to put it back on when it was time for cake!  Boo :(

Poppy and Cissy brought this all the way back from Alaska.

Miller enjoyed his first cupcake, but we never really got a good smile.  I've included the video if you want to watch, but do so with the warning that it is LONG!!!

After cake, Miller burned off some of that energy playing with his new toys!

Shortly later we noticed a rash forming in all of the places that Miller touched with icing.  We think he might be a little allergic to the coloring.  After a bath and a few minutes it went away though.  Thankfully, Miller didn't even seem to notice.

It was such a wonderful day and we are so thankful for those who were able to be a part of it!  I hope you had a happy first birthday, Miller!

Celebrations

We've had a few reasons to celebrate over the past few days!  On Sunday, we celebrated Bryant's grandmother's 81st birthday!  I went into labor after her 80th birthday party last year and had Miller the next day, which will make it easy to remember how old Betty Jo is from now on!  Margaret cooked a delicious dinner and we ended the night with gifts and a to-die-for carrot cake.  Yum.  I think it is so special that Miller and Betty Jo's birthdays are so close.

On Miller's birthday, we tried to do a little celebrating even though we'll have his actual party this weekend.  We're saving cake for Saturday, so I decided to spice up one of Miller's traditional favorites and make him a very special...drum roll please... birthday banana.

He was not interested in me singing to him or the flaming stick that I wouldn't let him touch.  He just wanted the banana.

After lunch we headed to the pediatrician for Miller's one year check-up.  Everything is looking good!  He weighs 21.4 pounds and is 29 inches long (both are around the 25th percentile).  The not so fun part was that he had to get a finger stick and three shots.  Boo.  Bad planning on my part.  He was a real trooper though and only cried when the nurse stuck him.  He was perfectly happy after that!

Later in the day, Kendall, Hunter, and Hays stopped by to wish Miller a happy birthday {and let the mommies do a clothes swap ;) }.

When Bryant got home, we decided to give him his first birthday present and couldn't wait to see him tear into it.  

Again, not interested.

After a little persuasion and acting on our part, he got into it.

He played with it for about twenty minutes which was a good sign that he liked it.  Be sure to check back for pics from the real celebration later!

One!!!

My precious baby boy turns one today!!!  I find myself feeling nauseous and on the verge of tears as I type this.  I cannot believe a year has already passed since he was born!!

I decided to video him when I went to get him this morning.  This is one of my favorite times of day with him!  When he was first born I was really good to record his awakening every month or so, but it's been a while since I last did it.  Not too exciting, but I want to remember everything about this day!

I will leave you with a letter I wrote to Miller for his baby book.  I meant to do it right after he was born, but in my sleep deprivation never got around to it.  It is the best way I know how to sum up my feelings on this special day.  It may be a bit much for most readers, but I wanted to include it here too as I plan to get my blog printed into a keepsake journal.  

My dearest Miller,

It is utterly impossible to believe that a year has already past since you were born.  You mean so much to me and I fear that my feeble attempt to capture these feelings on paper may be inadequate, but I will try anyway so that you will always know how I feel about you right this moment.  Giving birth to you was the most amazing experience of my life thus far.  It was the most incredible, overwhelming thing I’ve ever done and I truly felt as though I were lucky enough to help the Lord perform a miracle.  Of course, I know that the Lord did not need my help in creating you which makes me feel even more loved and blessed that He would let me play such an intense role in the miracle of you.  The moment I saw you I was filled with a mixture of emotions:  overwhelming love, pure joy, fear over the future, sorrow at the thought of losing you, extreme excitement, and finally peace.  Love so intense that even after only knowing you for a moment, I would do anything for you.  Joy so pure that I could not contain my smile even if I had wanted to.  I grinned as I examined you carefully:  your white-blond hair, your button nose, your hand that reached for me, your soft skin against mine, your scent, your sweet cry that subsided when I held you, your lips that were so kissable, the tiny squeaks you made when you cuddled close to me.  I felt fear when I realized that I would not be able to protect you forever.  You will get hurt, both physically and emotionally.  If only I could prevent this pain.  It may seem strange that I would feel sorrow, but my mind flashed forward to days when you will move away and be on your own, no longer mine to hold.  Of course these are selfish thoughts, but the moment I first held you I couldn’t imagine ever letting go of you.  I was filled with excitement over the days ahead.  I imagined being witness to your first steps, little league games, vacations, and bedtimes.  I was overcome with the thrill of being your mother.  Amongst all of these feelings, I felt an overwhelming peace, which I’m sure comes only from our Father.  I knew that although I can’t protect you, He can.  Although you will not always be my little boy, you will always be His.  When I am unable to heal you, He is able.  I knew that the only way I could be the mother you need is through Him.

This first year of your life has been incredible.  I am so thankful to your daddy for working so hard and agreeing to let me spend my days with you creating so many memories I will cherish always.  I will never forget the first time you smiled at me.  You were on your changing table, I had just finished dressing you, and you looked straight into my eyes and gave me the sweetest grin I had ever seen.  Your smile still melts me.  Holding you before bedtime or after naps is another favorite memory.  You were very cuddly as a newborn, but after a few months cuddles were rare.  You wanted to be in the action too much.  I can always count on bedtime and just after naps for a cuddle or two though.  I love holding you before bed every night as I pray for you.  My prayer is that you will come to realize the lavish love of our Lord at an early age and that you will accept His gift of grace.  I love seeing you discover new things and explore your favorites.  You love toys that roll like trains and balls, but you will give up any toy on this earth if there is a chance to get in an open dishwasher and grab the silverware.  You love fans and look for a fan whenever we enter a new place.  You act shy when meeting new people, laying your head on my shoulder and smiling sweetly.  After a minute you warm up, though, and you let me leave you in the care of others easily.  You’re tough.  You rarely cry when you fall or bump your head.  You absolutely adore your daddy.  You head straight for him when he gets home and you’d much prefer him anytime we’re both around.  You have the funniest crawl that I hope I’ll always remember.  Your ribs are ticklish and your laugh is to die for.  You love music and I can always entertain you with a song, despite my lack of talent.  When you hear music, you will stop what you’re doing to “dance”, rocking back and forth to the rhythm.  You sleep great at night, but you’re an early riser and a horrible napper.  You roll around and wrestle with your blanket or lovie when falling asleep, and I can’t imagine the day you won’t have crib rails to contain and protect you.  You eat everything you’re served, and a lot of it.  You love to turn the pages of books.  You give the wettest, sloppiest kisses and I adore them.  You are amazing and have captured my heart more than I ever imagined you could. 

As you turn one today, the feelings of nostalgia, happiness, gratefulness to the Lord, and I must admit, a bit of sadness flood me.  You are growing up so fast and I wish I could just freeze time for a bit.  I guess I will just have to settle for seeing many more birthdays as the years go by, Lord willing.  And as much as I want to freeze time, I will be honest and say that I cannot wait to be there for every one of them.  Happy birthday baby boy!!!

I love you so very much,
Mommy

Miller Monster

We call him Miller Monster.  He growls, he attacks, and he takes down some serious food.  Tonight the little monster tried spaghetti {with a few veggies mixed in} for the first time.  Do you think he liked it?

This was after about four servings the size of the one above.  Spaghetti was followed by half  of a banana and half of a piece of cheese.  After dinner it was time for a quick game of growling, which Miller found hysterical.  He had toned it down a bit by the time I got the video camera out, but you'll get the idea anyway.

Little Drummer Boy

Our latest way to occupy Miller while I cook dinner.

He's the cutest drummer I know!

High Hampton Inn

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back about our trip.  We have had quite a busy week!

As I mentioned we went to the High Hampton Inn just outside of Highlands, North Carolina.  The inn was built in 1922 and they have striven to keep the historical integrity of the inn and surrounding areas.  It is so beautiful and rustic.  Very "Dirty Dancing".  We stayed in one of the cabins located on the premises and had so much fun just relaxing and spending time with family.  Our days were made up of sleeping late, shopping, pedicures for the girls, golf for the boys, hiking, Scrabble, and many delicious meals.  We left the little man with my mom and step-dad and I'm so glad that we did.  It was wonderful to stay up as late as we wanted, sleep in, and do as we please each day.  As much as we enjoyed it, we sure did miss him though!

Aren't these red rocking chairs and a whiskey barrel/planters so cute!  I want one of each.  Too bad I'd kill the plants though :)

 The entrance to the inn

This was the swimming/canoe/playground/layout/lots of other things area.  The water was FREEZING though and the weather was a cool 75 or so meaning there was really no need to swim.  We did enjoy sitting by the lake one day though.

The whole crew: Bryant, Me, Scott, Kate, Margaret, and Frank

This is the view from the inn.  We also hiked to the top of this mountain one day and this was the view:

Breathtaking.  Both figuratively and literally.  It was quite a haul up that mountain!

On another day, we went on a hike down a mountain to the bottom of a waterfall.  It was also quite a workout, but was totally worth it!

At the top...

and from the bottom.

Our last day we went into Highlands for lunch and a little shopping.  We ate at this adorable, delicious restaurant recommended by a friend {Thanks, Mrs. Ham!}.

I think Miller had a pretty good time at Pop and Gran's too.  

He helped them turn their foyer into a playground,

showed them that nudity and playtime can go together,

and rearranged their furniture.

Clearly that table looks much better blocking the entrance to the kitchen than it does in the living room.  Thanks, Pop and Gran, for taking such good care of our sweet baby boy!  I hope you've gotten some rest this past week!

We had to  at least bring him back a little souvenir since we didn't take him along.

A huge thanks to Margaret and Frank for a fabulous trip!  Thanks for letting us come even though we didn't bring Miller :)  We are so thankful for each of you!